1989 Ford Taurus SHO 3.0 DOHC from North America

Summary:

Would not buy another if my life depended on it

Faults:

Clutch went out at a stop light.

At the same stop light the shifter cables broke, so it's stuck in neutral.

Main valve cover gaskets blew at 107000 miles.

Replaced the starter.

When replacing the radio, the dash lights went out.

Seats wear after time.

General Comments:

This car is an utter piece of crap. Yamaha did a good job on the engine. But Ford as they always do, put in a transmission that couldn't handle the torque. The tranny job to fix would have cost 1200 dollars, not including labor, you have to drop the whole front end in order to get the tranny out.

Valve gaskets would have cost around 200 dollars.

Every 60,000 miles you have to do a tune-up that costs around 800 dollars not including labor.

Has a very bad oversteer problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th January, 2002

30th Jan 2004, 08:31

For one, the radio/dash light thing had to be something done to the car third party, NOT something that just "happened" because you replaced the radio. Second of all, any tune-up done that costs 800 bucks is a hoax, or you just have wrong information there. A tune up can cost 200 bucks AT BEST, and if you do one yourself on one of these fine autos, it'll cost around 50. I don't know where you have received your information, but you might want to double check that before you go posting it on the web. As another side note, most of these cars (Tauruses or any other used car) bought used are BEATEN to death. People abuse cars... I have been a college campus mechanic for two years, and some of the things I have seen shock me! I have to rebuild the whole top end of a Firebird because a guy let it overheat... does that mean that Firebirds are all inherently bad? No. And as a last comment, ALL seats wear after time. I haven't seen a car 10 years old YET that doesn't have some seat wear. Your comments should be viewed by others with a grain of salt. Tauruses are overall wonderful cars, and the positive reviews far outweigh the legitimate negative ones.

1989 Ford Taurus GL 3.8 litre from North America

Summary:

These cars are great, though they usually need a little TLC when purchased used

Faults:

When I first got the car, I had to replace the heater core, which was not a big deal.

The right side constant velosity joint went bad due to a rip in the boot. Replaced it, without a problem.

The radiator developed a leak about 6000 miles after I got it.

It also has the normal Taurus body rust.

General Comments:

The 3.8 litre engine is a dream come true for front wheel drive cars. Plenty of power to pass or climb hills at will.

Cornering ability is excellent. not skidding at any speed.

The ride is phenomenal. Compared to my older sister 1996 Lumina, my Taurus rides, handles, and out accelerates cars 7 years newer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th July, 2001

1989 Ford Taurus LX V6 from North America

Faults:

I had CIV joints fixed and the power steering has gone out.

Instrument panel lights go off and on a lot, this car is a piece of crap.

General Comments:

It is a smooth riding car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th June, 2001

1989 Ford Taurus L 3.0 V6 from North America

Summary:

A workhorse

Faults:

The power steering rack went bad, however it was very cheap to repair. Cost only $ 125.00 CAN. for a rebuilt rack with tie rods. On a car this old it is to be expected.

Have not had any problems with the transmission yet.

When I got the car I did have to replace the distributor module, but it was cheap also at about $60.00 CAN.

General Comments:

The car is rusty along the bottom rocker panels, but most cars suffer these problems unless mud flaps or plastic rocker covers are installed.

I got the car cheap $350.00 CAN and it has been cheap to repair with an abundance of after-market parts.

I do not expect a lot from it, but it is a real work horse, able to tow my 4 ton cube vans around town and haul a lot of junk in the cargo area. This kind of abuse would have killed my Oldsmobile 98.

I just keep changing the oil/oil-filter regular at 5000 km with spares from Walmart or Canadian Tire and it just keeps plugging along.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th May, 2001